Should you bathe your dog (or cat? hehe) every month? Every week? What’s the right answer? If you’ve ever asked that question, you’ve probably heard various advice on the matter of a suds n’ shine for your furry friend. With the whiff of Spring somewhere around the corner, more pet owners want to know: Is it bath time?

The truth is, there’s no “right” answer when it comes to how frequently you should wash your pet. A more important matter is what you choose to use. Baby shampoo, for example, may seem like a harmless option for your pal’s bath. But did you know that dogs and cats skin has a different pH level compared to humans? Humans are more acidic while pets are more neutral. Because of this, the seemingly simple choice of using something such as baby shampoo (which contains harsh cleansers for your pet) can actually cause skin problems and unbalances. Dry, itchy skin anyone?

So what should you use to bathe your pet? Good question! It’s important to choose a shampoo that is specially formulated for dogs and cats, such as Vetoquinol or DermAllay, for example. Look for a shampoo that is soap-free and contains aloe and oatmeal - which can help soothe and moisturize skin. These types of shampoos don’t lather very much (since they’re soap-free, which is more gentle) so make sure to use lots of water and massage well while you are beautifying your furry friend. A conditioner is also a great option for afterwards and some of them can actually be left in without rinsing. If your pet has special skin care needs, there are other options for shampoo that your vet can recommend.

So whether you choose to bathe your pet once per week or once per month, make sure to choose a gentle made-for-dogs-and-cats shampoo and/or conditioner, ideally with aloe and oatmeal. And if in doubt, ask your vet team what they would recommend! Happy sPAW day!

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